Emergency release mechanism for ironing machine



March 24, 1959 L, E, SCHRADER 2,878,599

EMERGENCY RELEASE MECHANISM FOR IRONING MACHINE I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 15, 1957 E54 BY i far/KEYS.

March 24, 195,9 l.. E. sci-HEADER- 2,878,599

EMEEGENCY RELEASE MEcHANIsM EOE IEoNING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1957 1Ni/ENTOR. Aare?? TSC/grdff ra F11/z' /Sf March 24, 1959 L. E. scHRADER EMERGENCY RELEASE MECHANISM FOR IRON-ING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, '1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. /407677 ScrdJsz BY l #gna raF/vE/Sf United States Patent O EMERGENCY RELEASE MECHANISM FOR IRONING MACHINE Loren E. Schrader, Mount Clemens, Mich., assignor to Ironrite lnc., Mount Clemens, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 15, 1957, Serial No. 634,277

9 Claims. (Cl. 258-58) power failure preventing automatic separation of the roll and shoe. To be effective, such a release mechanism must be readily operable with a minimum `of manual ef- -fort and must insure a return of the roll to a position against the shoe when desired.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved emergency release mechanism for the roll in an ironing machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide such an emergency release mechanism which is readily operable manually with a minimum of manual pressure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an emergency release mechanism for ironing machine rolls which includes mechanism for adjusting the pressure of the roll against the shoe when the roll is in an ironing position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a release mechanism which has an automatic spring return for insuring a resetting of the mechanism after actuation to release the roll.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an emergency roll release mechanism for an ironing machine which is simple and rugged in construction, cconomical to manufacture, and etlicient in operation in providing a desired quick and easy movement of the roll away from the shoe over a prolonged service life of the machine.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an ironing machine provided with the emergency release mechanism of this invention, showing the release mechanism actuating lever in a normal position in solid lines and in an actuated position in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged rear elevational view of an ironing substantially along the lines 5 5, 6---6 and 7-7, re-

spectively, in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the release mechanism of this invention, illustrated similarly to Fig. 3, and showing the mechanism parts in moved positions corresponding to a position of the actuating lever shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic sectional views illustrating the positions of the roll supporting tube relative to the actuating lever and the roll rocking arm, in the partially and fully moved positions of the lever, respectively.

With reference to the drawing, the emergency release mechanism of this invention, indicated generally at 10, is illustrated in Fig. 2 in assembly relation with an ironing machine 11 of usual type. As best appears in Fig. 1, the machine 11 includes a main frame, only the table portion 12 of which is illustrated, and a stationary shoe 13 provided with internal heating elements (not shown). Arranged centrally on the table 12 is a housing 16 which rotatably supports a tube 17 (Fig. 2) extended lengthwise of the table 12. At its ends, the tube 17 carries a pair of upwardly and forwardly inclined arms 18 (Figs. 1 and 2) provided intermediate their ends with bearings 19 which rotatably support stub shafts 21 carried at opposite ends of an ironing roll 22 extended longitudinally of the table 12 is a substantially parallel relation with the supporting tube 17.

An electric motor 23 (Fig. 2) on one side of the housing 16 acts through a gear and clutch mechanism, indicated generally at 24, within the housing 16 to drive a shaft 26 extended axially of and supported within the tube 17. The shaft 26 in turn drives a gear train 27 located in one of the arms 18 to drive the corresponding stub shaft 21 for rotating the roll 22.

The gear and clutch mechanism 24 provides for the selective drive of a cam 28 positioned in the housing 16 and having a follower roller 29 mounted on one end of a spring leaf arm 31. The opposite end 32 of the arm 31 is secured to an elongated body member or pressure sleeve 33 releasably locked to the tube 17 for movement therewith during normal use of the ironer 11. 0n rotation of the cam 28, the follower 29 is moved up and down to in turn act through the arm'31 to rotate the tube 17 and provide for rocking movement of the ironing roll 22 to a position in engagement with the shoe 13, illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and to a position spaced from the shoe 13, illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 1.

In a normal ironing and pressing use of the machine 11, the roll 22, in its position spaced from the shoe 13, illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 1, is spaced about onefourth to three-fourths of an inch from the shoe 13, which spacing is well adapted for ordinary ironing and pressing use. The operation of the machine 11 for ironing, pressing and the like is particularly described in my copending application, Serial No. 613,750, iiled October 3, 1956.

The emergency release mechanism 10 of this invention is provided for quickly moving the roll 22 away from the shoe 13 an amount necessary to provide for a complete release of an article being ironed or the like which might accidentally become jammed between the roll 22 and the shoe 13. A separation of about two inches has been found to be completely satisfactory for such emergency conditions. Actuation of the release mechanism 10 also provides for the removal of an article being ironed in the event of power failure. In such cases the cam 28 is ineffective to provide for movement of the roll 22 Iaway from the shoe 13. The mechanism 10 is operable, therefore, under these circumstances to prevent burning of an article on the shoe 13. f

The emergency release mechanism 10 includes the f elongated body member 33 (FigsJZand 3) secured to the roll actuating armj31 and extended axially ofthe ltube 17 at a position intermediate the ends thereof. The body member 33 has one end portion 35 thereof of a size to provide for theY slidable support of the portion 35 in the tube 17. Adjacent the end portion 35, the body member 33 isprovided with a reduced portion 34 (Figs. 3 and 4) -on which is rotatably mounted an annular spool member 36 provided on one side 38 thereof with a diametrically extended curved notch or groove 39. The body member 33 terminates at its opposite end in a further reduced portion 40.

Positioned about the tube 17 at a position opposite the spool 36, is an annular collar 41 (Figs. 3 and 4) secured to the tube 17 by a set screw 42. The collar 41 carries a pin 43 extended radially inwardly of the tube 17 through an enlarged opening 45 in the tube 17 and an opening 44 in the spool 36. The outer end 47 of the piu 43 is supported on the collar 41 between a pair of opvpositely directed set screws 48 advanced to positions against opposite attened sides of the pin 43.

A pin 51 (Fig. 3) extended diametrically of the body member portion 34 through an elongated slot 52 formed therein, is movable longitudinally of the slot 52 to a position partially received in the notch 39 in the spool 36.

An annular trigger member 53 rotatably mounted on a bearing 54 which is `in turn rotatably mounted on the body member end portion 40 at a position spaced from the spool 36, is engageable with the-pin 51 to maintain the pin within the notch39. The trigger ring 53 is formed on its side 56 adjacent the pin 51 with an elongated groove or notch S7 extended diametrically of the ring 53 and of a depth to receive the pin 51 to an extent providing for the movement thereof out of the groove 39.

In other words, on movement of the ring 53 to a position in which the notch 57 and the pin 51 are opposite each other, the pin 51 is movable longitudinally of the slot.52 in a direction toward the left as viewed in Fig. 3 to a position withdrawn from the` notch 39. In this position, the pin 51 projects partially into the notch 57 vwhich is of a size to provide for limited rotation of the trigger ring 53 relative to the pin 51 with the pin 51 in the notch 57.

Connected to the bearing 54 and extended radially outwardly therefrom through a slot 61 in the trigger ring 53 (Fig. 5) and a corresponding slot 62 in the tube 17, is an actuating lever 63 (Fig. 5) provided on its terminal end with a handle 64. A curved plate 66 carried by the handle 64 is arranged in a covering relation with the slot 62 in the tube 17.

- A pair of annular washers 65 and 67 (Figs. 3 and 6) are positioned on a squared portion 68 of the body member 33 adjacent one side 69 of the trigger ring 53. The washer 65 which is against the ring 53 is preferably formed of tetratluoroethylene or polyamide resin available commercially under the trade names of Teflon and Nylon, respectively, or other similar material having low frictional characeristics to reduce to a minimum the resistance of the washer 65 to rotation of the trigger ring 53. The washers 65 and 67 are identical in shape, with each including a peripherally extended groove 82 (Fig. 6) and with the grooves 82 being aligned axially of the washers.

Mounted on the body member portion 68 at a position adjacent the washer 67 is a retaining member 71 for a coil spring 72 supported thereon. The spring retaining Amember 71 has a notch 73 (Fig. 3) for receiving one end 79 of the spring 72, the opposite end 81 of which extends through the elongated slots 82 in the washers 65 and 67 into a notch 83 in the trigger ring 53. A bolt and washer assembly 84 at the terminal end 86 of the body member 33 is received `within an opening 87 which extends axially of the body `member 33 iny communication with the slot 52. The bolt and washer assembly 84 is advanced into engagement with the spring retaining memher .71ttormaintaininathememben 71,911 the body member 33. Thewbolt and washer assembly 84 also acts to retain a coil spring in the opening 87 in engagement with the pin 51 to bias the pin 51 in a direction toward the spool 36.

ln operation, assume that the ironer roll 22 is in an ironing position against the shoe 13, illustrated in solid lines in Fig. l. In this position of the roll 22, the parts of the emergency release mechanism 10 are in the positions illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 in which the lever 63 is at one end 91 of the slot 61 in the trigger ring 53 and at the opposite end 92 of the slot 62 in the tube 17. The pin 51 thus cooperates with the spool 36 and the trigger ring 53 to lock the body member 33 to the tube 17. In other words, the arm 31 rocks or rotates the body member 33 back and forth which in turn rotates the pin.51. Since the trigger ring 53 acts to lock the pin 51 in the groove 39 in the spool 36, the pin 51 also acts to rotate the spool 36 which is secured to the tube 17. Accordingly, the body member 33 and the tube 17 move togetheras a unit, with the trigger ring 53 and the spool 36 acting as a pair of clamp members to hold the pin 51 in a fixed position therebetween.

As a result, during normal movement of the roll 22, between the ironing and spaced positions A and B, respectively, illustrated in Fig. l, the body member 33 and the tube 17 rotate as a unit within the housing 16. Now assume either that an article being ironed becomes jammed between the roll 22 and the shoe 13 in the ironing position of the roll 22 or the power for the ironer motor 23fails with the roll 22 against the shoe 13, and that consequently a quick and full release of the roll 22 from the shoe 13 is desired. The operator by pushing on the inclined side 94 of the handle 64 rotates the actuating leverA 63 and consequently the trigger ring 53 in clockwise directions as viewed in Fig. 5 against the action of the spring 72. On rotation of the lever 63 through an angle of substantially twenty-tive degrees, the trigger ring 53 is rotated to a position in which the parallel sides 96 (Figs. 3 and S) of the groove 57 therein are opposite the pin 51 and the lever 63 is in engagement with the tube 17 at the end 97 of the slot 62 as illustrated in Fig. 9. Such movement of the trigger ring 53 to a position in which the notch 57 is opposite the pin 51 provides for an unlocking of the tube 17 and the body member 33 since the pin 51 is free to move longitudinally in the slot 52, against the pressure spring 90, to a position withdrawn from the notch 39 in the spool 36.

It is apparent that when the pin 51 is free to move out of the notch 39, the spool 36, tube 17 and collar 41 are also free to rotate about the body member 33. Consequently, on further rotation of the lever 63 in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Figs. l, 5 and 9, the tube 17 and the trigger ring 53 rotate together. Since the tube 17 is secured to the spool 36 by the collar 41, the spool 36 also rotates in the same direction and acts to move the pin 51 longitudinally in the slot 52 in a direction out of the notch 39 and into the notch 57.

On initial rotation ofthe tube 17 in a clockwise direction in response to further movement of the lever 63 from the position shown in Fig. 9, the arms 18 (Fig. l) are swung upwardly to raise the roll 22 off the shoe 13. During suchV rotation of the tube 17, the trigger ring 53 also rotates in a direction such that the opposite parallel sides 99 of the notch 57 (Figs. 3, 7 and 8) are moved toward the pin 51. Continued pressure on the handle 64 rotates the lever 63 to a stop position in which the tube 17, at one end 101 of a slot 102 through which the arm 31 extends, engages the arm 31 (Fig. 10). The trigger ring53 is also rotated to a position in which the sides 99 of the groove 57 are adjacent the pin 51. Such rotation of the tube 17 raises the roll 22 to the position illustrated at C in Fig. 1. kThe total rotation of the tube 17 is about twenty degrees, which is sucient to move the roll 22 to a position spaced about two inches from the shoe 13 which is more than adequate to provide for a quick removal of any item between the shoe and the roll. A balance spring (not shown) in the gear casing 16 cooperates with the tube 17 in the raised position of the roll 22 to hold the roll 22 in the raised position against the action of gravity.

When the emergency condition requiring roll release has been remedied and it is desired to resume normal use of the ironer, the lever 63 is manually swung in a reverse or counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. l and 10.

During initial swinging movement of the lever through an angle of about twenty-live degrees, which corresponds substantially to the angular extent of the slots 61 and 62 in the trigger ring 53 and the tube 17, respectively, the bearing 54 merely rotates about the body member 33.

The lever 63 is then rotated another twenty degrees in a counterclockwise direction to rotate both the tube 17 and the trigger ring 53 about twenty degrees. Such rotation of the tube 17 is sufficient to return the roll 22 to a position against the shoe 13 and to return the spool 36 to the position illustrated in Fig. 3. has the notch 39 therein opposite the pin 51 so that the spring 90 operates to move the pin 51 out of the groove 57 back into the groove 39. The spring 72 then provides for an automatic resetting of the release mechanism 10 by rotating the trigger ring 53 about twenty-tive degrees to a position in which the trigger ring, at the end'91 of the slot 61 engages the lever 63 (Fig. 5).

It is seen, therefore, that on return of the lever 63 to the normal position illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 1, the spring 72 automatically provides for the locking of the tube 17 and the body member 33 for movement as a unit in the normal operation of the ironer.

To regulate the pressure of the roll 22 against the shoe 13, one of the set screws 48 in the collar 41 is retracted and the other advanced when the parts of the mechanism 10 are in the position illustrated in Fig. 3. Such manipulation of the set screws 48 provides for rotation of the collar 41 and the tube 17 about the body member 33 which is maintained in a xed position by the spring arm 31. In other words, manipulation of the set screws 48 acts to move the collar 41 and the tube 17 relative to the spool `36 and the pin 43 which are locked to the body member 33 by the pin 16. Consequently, on advance of one of the set screws 48, the pressure of the roll 22 on the shoe 13 is increased, and on advance of the other set screw 48 this pressure may be decreased.

From the above description it is seen that this invention provides a release mechanism 10 which is operable to readily provide for the separation of the roll Z2 and the shoe 13 when desired. By virtue of the cooperative assembly of the parts of the mechanism 10, such release is accomplished with a minimum of manual effort. The pressure exerted on the roll 22 by material jammed between the shoe 13 and the roll 22 is not transmitted to the mechanism 10 as a friction pressure acting to impede operation of the handle 63. Consequently, the handle 63 is quickly operable under emergency conditions.

Also, the spring 72 provides for the automatic resetting of the release mechanism 10 after the roll 22 has been returned to a position against the shoe 13. By virtue of the operative association of the collar 41 with the other mechanism parts, the pressure of the roll 22 is readily adjusted by manipulation of the set screws 48.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that'it is not to be so limited, since changes can be made therein which are within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. For use with an ironing machine which includes a main frame, a shoe on said frame, an ironer roll, a tubular member rotatably mounted on said `frame and connected to said roll to provide for movement of the roll toward and away from the shoe in response to rotation of said In this position, the spool 36 tubularmember, a body member positioned within said tubular member, and means connected to said body member for moving the body member between a pair of posi,- tions corresponding to positions of said roll against and spaced from said shoe; an emergency release mechanism for releasably 4connecting said body member and said tubular member and for providing for manual movement of said tubular member in directions moving said roll toward and away from the shoe, said mechanism comprising a locking member extended diametrically of said tubu lar member and carried by said body member for movement therewith, a pair of clamping members associated with said tubular member and movable to positions engaging opposite sides of said locking member for releasably connecting the tubular member and the body member to provide for movement of the roll in response to move-` ment of said body member and means including a lever member connected to one of said clamping members for moving said clamping member to a position providing for movement of said locking member relative thereto and for moving said tubular member in a direction providing for movement of said roll away from said shoe.

2. For use with an ironing machine which includesa main frame, a shoe on said frame, an ironer roll, a tubular member rotatably mounted on said frame and connected to said roll to provide for movement of the roll toward and away from the shoe in response to rotation of said tubular member, a body member positioned within said tubular member, and means connected to said body member for moving the body member between a pair of positions corresponding to positions of said roll against and spaced from said shoe; an emergency release mechanism for releasably connecting said body member and said tubular member and for providing for manual movement of said tubular member in a direction moving said roll away from the shoe, said mechanism comprising a locking member extended diametrically of said tubular member and carried by said body member for movement therewith, a pair of clamping members carried by said tubular member and movable to positions engaging opposite sides of said locking member for releasably con necting the tubular member and the body member to provide for movement of the roll in response to movement of said body member, means including a lever member connected to one of said clamping members for moving said one clamping member to a position providing for movement of said locking member relative thereto and for moving said tubular member in a direction providing for movement of said roll away from said shoe and coacting means on said tubular member and `said body member operable to rotate said tubular member on said body member to adjust the roll against the shoe.

3. In an ironing machine having an ironer roll supe porting tube, a body member arranged within said tube pressure of said .for rotation of said tube thereabout, a pin member mounted on and extended diametrically through said body member, a pair of ring members positioned about said body member and within said tube on opposite sides of said pin member, one of said ring members having a groove in which said pin is positionable so that it projects vout of the groove, means securing said one ring member to said tube, lever means connected to the other' porting tube, a body member arranged within said tube for rotation of said tubular member thereabout, a pin member mounted on and extended diametrically through saidA body member, a pair of ring-shaped clamping members positioned about said body member and within said tube on opposite sides of said pin member, means securing one of said clamping members to said tube, means providing a groove in said one clamping ring for receiving said pin member, lever means connected to the other one of said clamping members for moving said other clamping member between a first position holding said pin member in said groove to prevent relative movement of said tube and said body member and a second position providing for movement of said pin member out of said groove, with said lever means being operable to rotate said tube about said body member in said second position of said other clamping member.

5. In an ironing machine having a main frame, a stationary ironing shoe on said main frame, an ironing roll, a longitudinally extended hollow member movably mounted on said main frame for moving the roll toward and away from the shoe, a body member carried inside said hollow member, locking means including a cylindrical pin member extending substantially diametrically through said body member within said hollow member releasably locking said members against relative movement, means fixed to said body member for oscillating said members to move said roll toward and away from said shoe, handle and ring means rotatably supported on said body member at a position against one longitudinally extending side of the pin member for releasing said locking means from a locking position therefor, said handle and ring means being engageable with said hollow member on release of said locking means for moving the hollow member in a direction to move said roll away from said shoe, and spring means operatively associated with said handle and ring means for resetting said locking means.

6. For use with an ironing machine which includes a' main frame, a shoe on said frame, an ironer roll, a tubular member rotatably mounted on said frame and conneeted to said roll to provide for movement of the roll toward and away from the shoe in response to rotation of said tubular member, a body member positioned within said tubular member, and means connected to said body member for moving the body member between a pair of positions corresponding to positions of said roll against and spaced from said shoe; an emergency release mechanism for releasably connecting said body member and said tubular` member and for providing for manual movement of said tubular member in a direction moving said roll away from the shoe, said mechanism comprising a locking member extended diametrically of said tubular member and carried by said body member for movement therewith, a spool rotatably supported on said body member and secured to said tubular member, a pin extended diametrieally of said body member and mounted for movement longitudinally thereof, a lever member projected radially through said tubular member and rotatably supported on said body member for movement between first and second positions, ring means operatively associated with said lever member and engageable with said pin member for moving said pin member against said spool to hold the spool and pin member in fixed relative positions in the first position of said lever, said ring means being movable to a position in a clearance relation with said pin member in the second position of said lever member to provide for relative movement of said spool and said pin member, and with said lever member being engageable with said tubular member in the second position of said lever member for moving the tubular member in a direction to move said roll away from said shoe.

7. Por use with an ironing machine which includes a main trarne, a shoe on said frame, an ironer roll, a tubular member rotatably mounted on said frame and connected to said roll to provide for movement of the roll toward and away from the shoe in response to rotation of said tubular member, a body member positioned within said tubular member, and means connected to said body member for moving the body member between a pair of positions corresponding to positions of said roll against and spaced from said shoe; an amergency release mechanism for releasably connecting said body member and said tubular member and for providing for manual movement of said tubular member in a direction moving said roll away from the shoe, said mechanism comprising a locking member extended diametrically of said tubular member and carried by said body member for movement therewith, a spool rotatably supported on said body member and secured to said tubular member, a pin extended diametrically of said body member and mounted for movement longitudinally thereof, a lever member projected radially through said tubular member and rotatably supported on said body member for movement between first and second positions, ring means positioned about said body member for movement thereabout in response to movement of said lever member and engageable with said pin member for moving said pin member against said spool to hold the spool and pin member in fixed relative positions in the first position of said lever, said ring means being movable to a position in a clearance relation with said pin member in the second position of said lever member to provide for relative movement of said spool and said pin member, spring means carried by said body member and engaged with said ring means for biasing the ring means to the position thereof corresponding to said first lever position and with said lever member being engageable with said tubular member in the second position of said lever member for moving the tubular member in a direction to move said roll away from said shoe.

8. A mechanism for releasably connecting a tubular member and a body member positioned within and extended axially of said tubular member, said mechanism comprising a pin member mounted on and extended transversely of said body member and arranged within said tubular member for movement axially thereof, a spool member fixed within said tubular member and surrounding said body member, said spool member having a groove therein for receiving said pin member, a trigger ring rotatably mounted on said body member for movement between a first position holding said pin member in said groove and a second position providing for movement of said pin member out of said groove on rotation of said spool member, and handle means carried by said trigger ring and extended outwardly of said tubular member.

9. In an ironing machine having a main frame, a stationary shoe on said frame, a roll, a tubular member rotatably mounted on said frame and connected to said roll, a body member positioned within said tubular member, and movable means connected to said body member for rotating said body member and said tubular member to move said roll toward and away from said shoe; an emergency release mechanism for manually moving said roll away from said shoe comprising a locking member mounted on and extending transversely through said body member, means on said tubular member defining a groove of a size to closely receive said locking member, means carried by said body member movable between a first position engaging said locking member and holding it in said groove and a second position in a clearance relation with said locking member, said groove having a curved side engageable with said locking member for moving the locking member out of said groove to release said tubular member for movement relative to said body member in response to movement of said tubular member in a. direction for moving said roll away from said shoe.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

